I thought of a couple more I have floating around. I have done things over the years that were totally scrapped but you do learn a lot from your mistakes too. If I hadn't done all the different techniques then I wouldn't have gained the knowledge to do better the next time.
I hope you get all that you want done. The UFO bee sounds like a great idea. I am considering getting two tops done by LAQ. I have tried machine quilting a couple of times on scraps and it just doesn't work for me. I have a 20 year old Singer though. Someday I'll have to research better machines and get one.
Where do you find out about shows? I've only ever entered in the county fair, you could say that I've been a solitary quilter. and I'd be interested in doing that.